Electronics Engineer Job Description

An electronics engineer is an engineer who deals with the design, fabrication and operation of electronic devices and systems. Electronics engineers apply scientific knowledge and engineering principles and techniques to design, develop and manage systems and devices used for the transmission and processing of analog and digital information, which are usually low power systems and devices.

An electronics engineer should be enthusiastic, innovative, methodical, analytical and practical, and have the ability to communicate effectively and work well with others in a team. They should also have manual dexterity, good hand-eye coordination, normal color vision and the ability to work on energized circuits confidently and in a safe manner.

Pursue a career in electronics engineering if you have aptitude for mathematics and science, and interest in the design, development and operations of electronics systems.

What does an Electronics Engineer do?

Electronics engineers may do some or all of the following:

research, design, develop and manage electronics systems

evaluate existing electronics systems and recommend modifications to their design

plan projects, prepare and manage the budget

write technical reports and proposals to clients or colleagues

supervise the production of electronic circuits, components, and equipment

test and evaluate new electronics components and equipment

educate and advice people on the use of electronic systems and devices

keep up to date with advancements in the field

teach at colleges and universities

Working Conditions

Electronics engineers usually work normal office hours, but they may sometimes work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. They work in offices, laboratories, manufacturing plants and electronics workshops.

What is Required to Become an Electronics Engineer?

To become an electronics engineer, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering or a related discipline. Electronics engineering is a branch of electrical engineering.

Secondary school students interested in studying electronics engineering should take should take preparatory subjects such as chemistry, physics, computer, and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

Modules

Just to give you an idea, some of the classes that you’ll be taking in college may include:

Calculus

Differential equations

Applied linear algebra

Numerical analysis

Computer design

Optics, electricity and magnetism

Microcontrollers/assembly programming

Electronics circuits

Electrical circuits

Probability and statistics

Engineering materials

Vector and complex analysis

Microelectronics

Computer architecture

Digital systems design

Real time embedded systems

Feedback control systems

Electromagnetic waves

Specializations

An electronics engineer may specialize in any of the following fields:

Artificial intelligence - deals with the intelligence exhibited by machines or software

Biomedical engineering - deals with application of engineering principles and technology to healthcare

Bioelectronics- deals with the application of electronics principles to biology and medicine

Communications - deals with the development and operation of communications systems

Computer hardware design - deals with the design and development of computer hardware

Software engineering - deals with the design, development, operation and maintenance of software

Computer networks - deals with the linking computers together

Nanotechnology - deals with the manipulation of matter on a very small scale

Robotics - deals with the design, fabrication, theory and application of robots

Power electronics - deals with the application of solid-state electronics for the control and conservation of electric power

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

Electronics engineers need to have:

patience

adaptability

confidence

scientific aptitude

creativity and innovation

diligence and persistence

manual dexterity

physical and mental stamina

good memory

good eyesight

good attention to detail

good hand-eye coordination

good listening and communication skills

analytical and problem solving skills

good judgment and decision making skills

time management and organizational skills

leadership skills

math, computer and programming skills

the ability to work well independently and in a team

the ability to design and conduct experiments

the ability to work well under pressure

the ability to learn new skills and stay up-to-date with new developments in the field

the ability to identify real world problems that can be solved by engineering principles and techniques

the ability to apply the knowledge of science, mathematics and engineering to solve real word problems

the ability to work with small parts

knowledge electrical and electronics principles

knowledge of electrical and electronics measurements and instrumentations